Wednesday, June 8, 2016

W is for Websites

Paula needs some
answers about websites!

I set up a website about six years ago, without really
knowing much about them! It was a freebie site, and fairly basic, but it was sufficient
at the time. I confess that all I have done since then is add my books whenever
a new one is published.

Now I am thinking of either rehashing it or even starting
again, but first I have some questions.

First, two basic questions:

a. Should I pay for a website that will give me more
flexibility and allow me to create more interesting pages?

b. Should I find someone to design the site for me, or do it
myself?

Next, assuming I start with a new, blank website, what
should the it contain? In my current site, I have the details of my books,
of course, and the links (mainly to Amazon), and also brief details of my
earlier work i.e. the books which are now out of print, and lists of published
magazine stories and articles. There is also a ‘guest book’ (which doesn’t seem
to get many guests!) and a ‘contact me’ page.

In my new site, I would also include a page about myself –
but what else should I include?

And the final question (and perhaps the most important one): do readers actually visit authors’
websites? I admit I only do this very rarely, so there’s a part of me that
wonders whether it is actually worth the time (and possible expense) of
setting up a new website to replace my current one.

10 comments:

Well, my two cents is this. I like dedicating my time to writing and I don't have the skill set or the time to work on my website. So I paid a designer to do it and update it as necessary. The more places readers can find you, the better. I'd focus less on the out-of-print stuff, since readers can't access that, and more on the new things--your books, your blogs, your travel pictures and visits, links to your FB page and this blog, etc. Contact info is important as is a way to collect names and emails if you decide to write a newsletter. You might like a news page that lists places you'll be signing books, latest publishing news, etc. You want your website to be interesting and easily updatable because you will be judged partially on that. You always want buy links because you want to make it easy for readers to purchase your books. And yes, I believe readers visit sites for book info.

It was a flat fee to consult and design. And when she updates, it's approximately $10. There are fees associated with getting a domain, etc. but I found my designer to be very reasonable. Look around and find author websites you like, scroll to the bottom and contact the designer listed. Make sure it's an author website, though, as mine was able to tell me what works for authors, rather than other industries. I tend to chunk my updates together unless there's something that I absolutely need updating immediately.

I agree with Jennifer. I can comment more as a reader than a writer and say if I find an author I enjoy I very often visit their website to find out about them personally and look at what other books they have written. It is also useful to see if they are visiting my area. I enjoy going to author talks and listening to their stories and gaining information from them. This probably goes for more people like me in the unpublished category, but there are many of us out there, looking to learn.

I'm about to have an author website done. (I have one for my business on squarespace. I maintain but had a designer set up)I I bought author domain name and have hired a web person. Just need to give her info, pick colors, etc. Looking at other websites is what i need to do. I'm not good at updating, but I'll have to get better. I'll be more inspired once I have a book to promote.

Being an author involves so much more than actually writing the book - or even creating a website! Interacting on social media and yahoo groups is also essential, if only to get your name 'out there' so people recognise it.